By motorhome through Norway for 1 to 3 weeks

Marielle Janotta, Oct 5, 2023, Reading time: 18 min

Reading time: 18 min

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Experience the beauty of Norwegian nature on an unforgettable road trip through this magnificent Scandinavian country. You will probably be surprised by the versatility of the nature, as well as how many hidden gems the country has, ready for you to discover.
The country offers varied nature and experiences, so those who want to visit the country with their motorhome or caravan may very well adapt the itinerary to whatever suits them best. Let your mood guide you and explore the beauty of Norway at your own pace. In this article, we will present possible routes, all of which will take you to unforgettable views and unique sights.

Norway is a country of breathtaking beauty that is perfect for a camping trip. With its majestic fjords, impressive mountains, and picturesque coastlines, Norway offers a variety of experiences for all tastes. Whether you have one, two, or three weeks planned for your camping vacation, a road trip will definitely be worth it.
Although the wilderness and nature have a firm grip on the land, you can easily reach all the amazing places with your motorhome or caravan. One thing that is certain is that you have a fabulous adventure ahead of you – one that you will surely remember forever.

1. Southern Norway for 7 days

Southern Norway

The seven-day tour through southern Norway is an unforgettable journey full of breathtaking landscapes and fascinating cultural treasures. From the vibrant capital Oslo to the majestic fjords and glaciers, the trip offers a diverse experience that reflects Norway’s beauty and uniqueness. Here, a route rich in contrasts awaits you, which stretches over approximately 1,200 km. It’s recommended to take this route for the warmer season between mid-May and mid-September.

Hardly any other country offers such diverse landscapes for an unforgettable road trip as Norway. Copyright: Marielle Janotta

Your tour through southern Norway begins in the bustling capital city of Oslo. There, you can immerse yourself in the city’s cultural diversity, visit the Viking Ship Museum, Vigelandsparken with a whopping 212 stone and bronze sculptures, as well as the impressive opera house. You can also explore the city center with shops and sample Oslo’s famous culinary scene at its excellent restaurants.

On the second day, you’ll head to Lillehammer, where the Winter Olympics were held in 1994. During the scenic drive through the Norwegian countryside, it’s worth taking a break at Lake Mjøsa. When you arrive in Lillehammer, you can visit the open-air museum Maihaugen and learn a lot about the history of Norway.
Then, we continue to the famous Geiranger Fjord, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The journey through the impressive mountain landscape to the fjord is a real delight for the eye – and for the soul. Once in Geiranger, take a boat cruise in the fjords to experience the majestic ‘Seven Sisters’ and ‘Bridal Veil’ waterfalls up close.

In the next few days that follow, the itinerary first takes you to Jostalsbreen National Park, which introduces you to Norway’s fascinating Icelandic landscape. Here you should definitely plan a stop at the Bøyabreen glacier. From here you have a breathtaking view of this wonder. We will then continue to Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, the Sognefjord. You will cross this by ferry, with a magical view of the fjord. Put on your hiking boots or rent a kayak and enjoy breathtaking views of the impressive mountains and water up close.

As you pass the Hardangerfjorden and the Sørfjorden, you will reach the village of Odda, where the filming of the series Ragnarök took place. The beautiful Odda church is located directly on the shore of the fjord. In the adjacent park, you will find some picnic tables and you can also have a good time by the small harbor. The route then takes you to Heddal, where you can visit the largest stave church in Norway, which was built in the 13th century and still contains many of the original wooden beams from that time. On the last day of your tour, you return to Oslo.

Park your motorhome and set off on an authentic Norwegian nature tour. Copyright: Marielle Janotta

Excursion tips:

Don’t miss the Stegastein Viewpoint, from where you have a unique view of the Aurlandsfjord. Bjørgavegen then takes you across the highlands and you won’t believe your eyes when you see this landscape: giant rock formations covered with a variety of mosses and bushes, turquoise lakes, and snow from last winter.

Or, how about a hike to the world-famous Trolltunga? The fairy-tale-like mountain stretches out like a tongue, and got its name from looking like an old troll. The mountain rises 700 meters above Lake Ringedalsvatnet and is one of the best hiking spots in Norway. However, you should really be in good shape and definitely have the right equipment with you, because the hike is not recommended for inexperienced people. There are three different parking lots, which give a total distance of 20 km, 27 km, or even 38 km. In addition, 680 meters of altitude are overcome on the hike.

Overview of the route

1st night: Oslo → 2 hours – 180 km
2nd night: Lillehammer → 4 hours – 260 km
3rd night: Geiranger → 3 hours – 170 km
4th night: Jostalsbreens National Park → 1.5 hours – 70 km
5th night: Sognefjord → 4 hours – 200 km
6th night: Odda → 5 hours – 350 km
7th night: Oslo

Total travelling time: 19.5 hours and 1,230 km
Ferries: Sognefjord from Mannheller to Fodnes (30 min)
Best time to travel: mid-May – mid-September

Overnight stay nearby or on the road

Did you know that…

You can find the right motorhome, caravan, or campervan for your camping holiday through Norway at MyCamper. You can easily rent your motorhome directly in Oslo, Tromsø, and many other places in Norway.

2. Lofoten for 7 days

Lofoten

The seven-day Lofoten tour is an unforgettable adventure that gives you the opportunity to discover one of the most spectacular places in the world. The islands of Lofoten are connected to each other by bridges, so you can easily reach several of them with your caravan or motorhome. A particularly unique aspect of this route is the short distances between the individual sites, which makes it suitable for those who want to relax and enjoy the site, rather than spending too much time on the road. The best time to travel is from May to October, although we can highly recommend the low season when you experience pure seclusion. From hiking and boating to cultural discovery and local cuisine, this trip offers a great mix for adventure enthusiasts of all kinds. By the way, the Lofoten archipelago is also perfect for amateur photographers!

Your journey begins with your arrival in Lofoten either by ferry from Skutvik on Norway’s west coast or via the mainland connection. We would like to advise that you take enough time to soak up the special atmosphere of the islands, which you will feel right from the start. From there, you may explore Svolvær, the largest town in Lofoten, and discover traditional red fishing huts and impressive mountain scenery.

The next day you will go to Kabelvåg, one of Lofoten’s oldest fishing villages. Visit the Lofoten Museum and learn more about the fishing traditions and life on the islands. You will then continue to Henningsvær, a picturesque village built on several small islands. The narrow streets and the maritime atmosphere make this place an unforgettable stopover.

Then, you will reach Nusfjord, an idyllic fishing village that is on the UNESCO World Heritage List that you may visit as an open-air museum. The well-preserved old wooden houses give you the impression of being thrown back in time. The icing on the cake, more or less in a literal sense, is having great coffee here, as well as the best cinnamon buns ever in the sweet, traditional bakery. Additionally, we want to recommend the hike over the flat rock formations around Nusfjord, which gives you a unique view of the open sea.

You will then continue to Reine, one of the most famous places in Lofoten. Here, you will find all the famous postcard motifs that you may already know from the Norwegian archipelago – but experiencing them in real life is something else. As you may understand, it is an incomparable feeling to stand in these places and create your own holiday memories. The small island of Sakrisøy is known for its beautiful yellow houses and at the viewpoint in front of Hamnøy, you will find one of the most beautiful photo opportunities in Lofoten.

You can also climb the Reinebring mountain via a stone staircase with 1,566 steps and marvel at the entire surroundings from a bird’s eye view.
The route then takes you back east and now, you will have time to get to know Lofoten’s most beautiful beach in more detail. At Hauklandstranda you can surf, play volleyball, have a relaxing day swimming, or have some alone time with a yoga session. A beautiful hiking trail also takes you to the tranquil beach of Uttakleiv, which is hidden behind the mountain “Mannen”.

The next day you can visit the Lofotr The Viking Museum, stop in Borg on the island of Vestvågøy, and take a closer look at the historical background of the Viking Age. On the site where the museum is located, the foundations of a longhouse from as early as the 4th and 7th centuries have been found. This was then rebuilt to resemble the original and turned into an exciting attraction. Finally, the itinerary takes you back to Svolvær, where your Lofoten road trip began a week ago.